Compliments of
HOSPITAL
HEALTH NEWS from
temecula valleyWINTER 2018
Also inside:
DISASTER TRAINING AND PREPAREDNESS
In an emergency, our staff is ready to help
MAKING THE GRADEEarning top patient safety
and workplace ratings
A mystery illness
FINALLY SOLVED
“I am so relieved to have my life back!”
– Katie Wheeler
At Temecula Valley Hospital, we take pride in
caring for the community and in helping you
take better care of yourself. Now is a great time
to check in with your doctor about your heart
health. Keeping your records updated when
it comes to family history and chronic health
issues is a big part of preventive heart care.
In an emergency, our dedicated team can
quickly address critical heart and stroke issues
in our Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center, accredited
Chest Pain Center and STEMI (heart attack) Receiving Center.
We’re excited to share that for the third time in a row, we
have received grade “A” scores from a national patient safety
organization. It’s a true testament to our dedication and hard
work in providing high-quality care.
Katie Wheeler couldn’t agree more. Struggling with an unknown
illness, she finally learned what her underlying health issue was,
and doctors at Temecula Valley Hospital quickly got her back on
the road to recovery. Read her story on page 4. We also share an
article on sleep apnea, a common health condition many people
may not even know they have. Learn more about it on page 6.
In closing, be sure to check out our new website, where you
can now see the ER wait time and get the latest news about
our facility. Follow us on social media for frequent updates on
community events, podcasts, public service announcements and
more. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event.
Sincerely,
Darlene Wetton Chief Executive Officer
IN THIS ISSUE
FROM THE
CEO
4
6
7
THE LONG ROAD BACKKatie Wheeler’s story of fight and determination
ASK THE DOCTORDiagnosing and treating sleep apnea
EMERGENCY TRAINING Best practices for responding to different types of crisis situations
Plan to attend this FREE series of community lectures featuring the
physicians at Temecula Valley Hospital. They will speak on topics such as
sleep apnea, hearing health, orthopedics, allergies and much more.
Lectures are held at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month in the Operations
Center on the second floor of the hospital. A light dinner will be served and no
reservations are required.
For more information, call 951-331-2220 or visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/MGM.
MEDICAL GOLD Minds
Educational health podcasts from Temecula Valley Hospital are now available for listening or download. Hear the latest health information from medical professionals at the hospital. Visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/podcasts.
Did you know?
Dennis Frank, Board Chairman
Maj. Gen. Claude Reinke, USMC, Ret., Board Vice Chairman
Joan Sparkman
Yara Gorski, MD
Don Hitzeman
Gerardo Hizon, MD
Jerry Konchar
Joe Kuebler
Karen La Pointe
Robert Pace, MD
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
“A” GRADE for patient safety for the third time in a row
Temecula Valley Hospital has again been awarded
grade “A” for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group,
an independent healthcare rating organization.
The group surveys and ranks 2,600 hospitals across the
U.S. based on records of patient safety. Only 48 other
hospitals in California have received an “A” rating for
three consecutive time periods.
Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group,
congratulated the hospital for earning the rating in patient
safety. “We congratulate the clinicians, Board, management
and hospital staff for showing the country what it means to
put patient safety first.”
TOP GENERAL HOSPITAL AWARD RECIPIENTWe are also proud to share that The Leapfrog Group ranked
Temecula Valley Hospital as a Top General Hospital, one of 45
hospitals nationwide to receive the award.
CEO Darlene Wetton says that her staff should be proud
that their dedication to their patients earned the hospital
this distinction. “Only six hospitals in California received the
Top General Hospital award. The Top Hospital designation is
the gold standard for comparing hospitals on safety, quality,
and efficiency, and empowering patients with the lifesaving
information they need to make informed decisions on where
to receive their healthcare.” ■
Temecula Valley Hospital RECEIVES 2017 TOP WORKPLACE AWARDLocal companies with winning cultures and employee-focused environments were recently honored by the Top Workplaces program, and Temecula Valley Hospital was recognized as one of them. CEO Darlene Wetton is excited about the recognition of the hospital as a Top Workplace. “At TVH, our culture doesn’t just reflect what we do - it defines who we are. Our staff is committed to our vision, and this passion translates into how we serve our patients and our community. We are proud to have such an amazing staff that makes our hospital a Top Workplace.”
FALL 2017
2017
www.temeculavalleyhospital.com 3
Educational health podcasts from Temecula Valley Hospital are now available for listening or download. Hear the latest health information from medical professionals at the hospital. Visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/podcasts.
4 www.temeculavalleyhospital.com4 www.temeculavalleyhospital.com
LOCAL RESIDENT EXPERIENCE at Temecula Valley Hospital
What started as an
apparent kidney
infection led
Wheeler, 30, on a journey of
repeated hospitalizations, tests
and unanswered questions.
It even derailed her quest to
become a doctor.
But one morning, Wheeler was
so ill, her mother called 9-1-1 and
asked that her daughter be taken
to Temecula Valley Hospital.
She felt that a new team of
physicians might shed some light
on what was wrong. ➤
Katie Wheeler finally gets some answers
A mystery no more
www.temeculavalleyhospital.com 5
Wheeler was admitted and a multi-disciplinary team
of doctors evaluated her and found she had sepsis,
a life-threatening complication from infection. “I
had been battling infections for such a long time
and was on so many antibiotics, my immune system
was not functioning properly,” she says. “But the
doctors at Temecula Valley were great and over the
next 12 days, they gave me the right medications
and treatment.” Wheeler did well for a day or so at
home, but then she was unable to eat or drink and
started experiencing excruciating pain.
ANSWERS FOUND
She saw Gastroenterologist
Indraneel Chakrabarty, MD, and
he re-admitted her to Temecula
Valley. “I kept losing weight, and
at 5’8” and 93 pounds, we knew
there was a much bigger problem
and Dr. Chakrabarty told me he
was going to figure it out,” says
Wheeler. After running further
tests, he diagnosed her with Superior Mesenteric
Artery (SMA) syndrome, a rare digestive condition
in which the upper part of the small intestine is
compressed between two arteries, causing partial
or complete blockage. “Now it all made sense.
The more weight I lost, the worse my condition
became. Dr. Chakrabarty took the lead on my
treatment so I could gain weight,” Wheeler says.
Wheeler’s road to recovery continued, and she
spent the next six weeks at Temecula Valley
Hospital, where she became inspired to pursue
her dream of becoming a doctor. “I was there long
enough for the medical staff to become like family
to me. Everyone worked together as a team. I had
not experienced care like this before,” she says.
“This is what I always hoped medicine would be
like, but through my personal health experiences,
I learned it was not always this way. Here, I was at
the worst point in my life, and every person made
it better for me, from the people who cleaned my
room, to the Chief Operating Officer.”
ONE STEP AT A TIME
Each day, Wheeler got stronger and the staff
would root her on as she began to walk. “The first
day, it was just to the door, but they still praised
me. Before long, I was walking those hallways and
feeling whole again,” she says.
Since Wheeler’s room was on the cardiac floor,
she frequently saw Cardiologist Andrew Ho, MD.
“No matter how busy he was, he would always
stop by my room, even if it was a wave as he was
passing by. I would look up and see his patriotic
scrub hat and his hand waving as he walked by. He
and Dr. Chakrabarty inspired and encouraged me
to keep pushing and to not give up,” Wheeler says.
Wheeler became more determined to finish her
undergraduate studies so she could pursue medical
school. “Katie has a positive outlook on life and she
wants to give back and help people,” says Dr. Ho.
Dr. Chakrabarty says he is very proud of Katie
and her perseverance. “It is a testament to her
spirit. This experience will forever shape her life
and I have no doubt she will become a great
doctor!” he says.
Wheeler says she’s known since she was a child
that she wanted to be in medicine, so she is
grateful to be well enough now to continue her
education to achieve that goal. “I was in the
process of finishing a B.S. in Biology, a B.S. in
Psychology and preparing for the MCATs when I
got sick years ago. There is no doubt in my mind
that I would not be here to talk about this today if
it weren’t for Temecula Valley Hospital. I am truly
humbled and cannot wait to apply to medical
school and help others in their darkest times as the
doctors and staff there did for me,” she says. ■
For more information about gastrointestinal health issues, visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/GI.
Indraneel Chakrabarty, MDGastroenterologist
A mystery no more
If you’ve
been told you
snore loudly
or gasp for
breath while
you sleep,
these may be symptoms
of possible sleep apnea.
Matthew Leach, MD,
an ear, nose and throat
(ENT) physician on staff at
Temecula Valley Hospital,
shares his insight about
what it is, the causes, and
the possible solutions so
you can get a good
night’s sleep.
ASK THE DOCTOR
If you think you may have sleep apnea, you should be evaluated by a physician. To find a doctor, call our free physician referral line at 855-859-5203. For more information on sleep apnea, visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/SA.
6 www.temeculavalleyhospital.com
Could you have sleep apnea?Q: What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder
that interrupts your breathing
while you sleep. It often goes
undiagnosed because the
symptoms - snoring, pauses
in breathing and gasping
for air - occur while people
are sleeping. It can result in
daytime sleepiness, headaches,
memory problems and more. It
can also lead to more serious
health conditions such as
various forms of heart disease,
high blood pressure, increased
stroke risk and reduced life
span if not addressed.
Q: What causes sleep apnea? During sleep, the muscles in
the throat and upper airway
collapse. This can be caused
by neuro-muscular changes,
physical obstructions or
brain dysfunction. When this
happens, the airway becomes
blocked and airflow and oxygen
levels drop. The brain triggers
the muscles to tighten, restoring
normal airflow. This can happen
several hundred times during
the night leading to a restless
sleep pattern, wherein the brain
is unable to enter the deeper
levels of sleep that are essential
for regeneration of the various
brain processes.
Q: How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Your doctor will recommend
an overnight sleep study in a
sleep laboratory or a home
sleep study. During that test,
brain waves, oxygen levels,
body movement, heart rate
and rhythm, as well as airflow
are monitored and recorded.
A sleep medicine physician
reviews the test results and
characterizes the type of
sleep dysfunction.
Q: What treatments are currently available?
Medical options include CPAP
(continuous positive airway
pressure) machine and/or a
dental appliance. There are
many surgical options for
those who are appropriate
candidates. The most exciting
of which is a hypoglossal nerve
stimulator, like a pacemaker,
but for the tongue, which was
recently FDA approved in 2014.
Depending upon the severity
of your sleep apnea and other
health problems you may have,
your doctor can advise the
best treatment for you. ■
www.temeculavalleyhospital.com 7
at Temecula Valley Hospital
Safety training prepares medical staff for emergency response When a disaster strikes, it’s good to know that your
community hospital is prepared. Whether it be a natural
disaster, such as an earthquake, or a mass casualty
event, Temecula Valley Hospital is ready to answer the
call in these circumstances.
Hospital staff recently participated in public safety
training exercises with the Riverside County Emergency
Medical Department. These sessions provided vital
training and coordination during three different
simulated events so staff could learn the best ways to
streamline care in the event of specific emergencies
and help keep the community safe.
Darlene Wetton, CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital, is 100 percent supportive of training drills and disaster preparedness. “We understand hospitals are central to the health of every community and it’s important we are prepared to respond in any kind of emergency,” she says.
Care for sudden, non-serious illness with ER ReserveWhen you need care for less serious and non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses such as sore throat,
earache, cough or cold, or muscle strains and sprains, you can request time in the Emergency
Department at Temecula Valley Hospital.
IT’S SIMPLEUsing your computer, tablet, laptop or smart
phone, visit erjustgoteasierhere.com and
select a time up to 12 hours in advance that
is convenient for you. This service is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are unsure of your condition or if it
worsens, or if you decide your care cannot wait
until the time you selected, please go to the
nearest emergency room or dial 9-1-1.
To learn more, visit temeculavalleyhospital.com/easyER.
Temecula Valley Hospital participated in several public safety training exercises to simulate crisis events. Emergency vehicles from throughout the region were on site, and local residents and high school students acted as patients. Hazmat training was also provided so staff could learn how to properly wear protective equipment and respond appropriately to patients.
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Information in Health News comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinion expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication is solely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Temecula Valley Hospital or Universal Health Services, Inc. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Temecula Valley Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. ©2018. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
HEALTH NEWS FROM TEMECULA VALLEY HOSPITAL
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Darlene Wetton Chief Executive Officer
Dennis Frank Board Chairman
Maj. Gen. Claude Reinke, USMC, Ret. Board Vice Chairman
Marcia Jackson Director, Business Development
Merideth Allard Director, Marketing
Temecula Valley Hospital ranked a Top Hospital and considered one of the safest in the Nation!
FALL 2017
We’re proudly dedicated to keeping our patients safe, and our Top Hospital and “A” Rating designations prove it!
These prestigious designations
mean that according to hospital
patient safety records, TVH is
among the safest hospitals in
the nation for:
• Surgery
• Practices used to prevent
infections
• Safety measures followed by
doctors, nurses and hospital
staff to prevent errors
ONE OF ONLY
SIX GENERAL
HOSPITALS IN
CALIFORNIA.
HONORED WITH
AN “A” RATING
THREE TIMES
IN A ROW.
